Gods and Goddesses of Buddhism and Hinduism

	CHHEPU Chhepu is one among the three brothers Garuda, Chhepu and Hitimanga. It is told that once the mother of these brothers, requested her husband to give birth of such a son who would be the bravest, most truthful and entitled with all superior marks. Her husband told her to wait for a certain period. She being impatience to wait for a long period, looked the nest whether he was born or not. She found Chhepu in a prematured condition only with formation of head. It is also told that Chhepu disappeared from the world as he did not want to see the kaliyuga, the great yuga, when the evil would completely trumphant over the good and the world would be destroyed by Vishnu in his incarnation as kalki, the destroyer. Knowing his bravery, truthfulness and entitled with all the superior marks Manjushree wanted to see him and requested Chhepu to show his full form. Chhepu appeared slowly amidst the cloud. Manjushree, as an veteran artist, immediately drew his form by his foot secretly without the knowledge of Cheepu. When Manjushree could finish to draw his head only Chhepu came to know Manjushree's deception and immediately disappeared. Due to his bravery, truthfulness and all superior marks, he was given the place at the top of the main entrance of the shrines for the protection from all the dangers. Nagas are the food of Chhepu.
	KSITIGARBHA The third Bodhisatwa Ksitigarbha is rarely represented. He is yellow in colour, shows the earth touching mudra in the right hand, a lotus with the wish giving tree (Kalpa Briksha) in the left.
	ANIMAL FACED GODDESSES There is a set of four very interesting deities. They all have animal faces and have several forms such as (a) Hayashya with horse faced, (b) Sukarasya with sow faced; (c) Svanasya with dog faced and (d) Simbasya with lion faced. Each of them has given a different direction in the Mandala such as Hayasya in eastern gate, Sukarasya in the southern gate, Svanasya in the western gate and Simbasya in the norther gate. They are violent in appearance, nude, dancing on a corpse and wearing garlands of severed heads. They carry the kartri in the right hand and kapala in the left hand.
	BIRD FACED GODDESSES There is another set of four very interesting deities. They all have bird faces and have several forms such as (a) Kakasya-crow faced; (b) Grishasya-Vulture faced' (c) Garudasya-Garuda faced and (d) Ulukasya-Owl faced. Each of them has given the intermediate corners of the Mandala. All of them are violent in appearance, nude, dancing on a corpse and wearing garlands of severed heads. They carry the kartri in the right hand and the kapala in the left hand.
	DHARMADHATU The term 'Dharmadhatu' has different meanings according to different context. The literal meaning of the term is explained as 'Source of Dharmas' or elements of dharmas. It is the non-sencious object of element perceived when we are free of thought constructs. According to Swayambhu Purana text, the words Swayambhu, Dharmadhatu, Sunyarupa etc. are used as synonyms. Swayambhu is called self existent wisdom or Primordial awareness. When manifested in physical form, it is known as Adi Buddha. In Nispannayogavali Dharmadhatu Mandala is described in great detail. In this mandala chief deity is Manjughosha, the representaitve of Primordial Awareness with four face and eight arms. A large number of deities are included in this Mandala. The devotee is allowed to visualize this Mandala in developing stage of meditation. By this practice the devotee swiftly accumulates the merits and wisdom necessary for the attainment of Buddhahood.